Grain-drill.



No. 757,771. PATENTED APR. 19, 1904. L. E. ROBY.

GRAIN DRILL.

APPLICATION rum) 521 122, 1902.

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N0 MODEL.

WITNESSES TN: uonms PETERS co, PNOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON n. c.

PATENTED A-PR.19,1904.

L. E. ROBY.

GRAIN DRILL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902.

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No. 757,771. 7 PATENTED APR. 19, 1904.

L. E. RUBY.

GRAIN DRILL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES INVEN'TEIR. 3.C.Mwu B LLLTlwX Effiobus, 6 m 1-77 Zuriouj I we "gums PETERS co, Puma-Mme wAsnlNm'oN. u. c.

Patented April 19, 1904.

PATENT OEEIcE.

LUTHER E. ROBY, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

GRAIN-DRILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 757,771, dated April 19, 1904:.

Application filed September 22, 1902. Serial No. 124,280. (No model.)

The invention has for one of its objects to provide an improved means for yieldingly depressing the runners or furrow-openers of grain-drills and similar implements.

A further object is to provide a structure for grain-drills which will admit of a great range of vertical movement of the furrowopeners without undue strain on the parts.

A still further and important object is to so arrange the operating portions of runners or furrow-formers that as the said runners rise,

and put more strain on the springs which control them the increased pull of such springs will be counteracted, so that at all points of I elevation said springs will have a uniform power.

In addition to the above objects my invention pertains to certain details of construction, as will be herein described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,which form a part of this application, Figure l is a side elevation of a grain-drill, showing my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of means of attaching the runner to the seed-tube. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine, showing the runner raised as when passing over an obstruction. Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the upper portion of the seed-tube, showing levers pivoted thereto. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a block shown in Fig. 4, showing an eyebolt therein. Fig. 6 is a side view of the machine, showing the lowermost position of the runner when pushed down by the usual hand-lever and also showing in broken lines the raised position of such runner aswhen passing over obstacles. Fig. 7 is a side ele-v vation of a portion of the machine, showing modified form of a pair of arms. Fig. 8 is a side elevation showing altered position of a spring which controls the pressure of the runner or furrow-opener in the ground.

I have shown the various figures in order to fully illustrate the positions at which the runners or furrow-openers may be placed and in order also to show their limits of movement while in operation.

In the figures, A indicates the usual frame of the implement, to the forward side of which is secured a bracket or hanger B. To this hanger is pivoted the upper forward extremity of a draft-bar C. At the rear end of said draft-bar is the usual furrow-former or runner 1), upon which is mounted the seed-tube E. On the rear side of the frame A is carried a notched rack F, with which engages a handlever G for controlling the runners through an arm H on a rock-shaft I. The construction thus described and shown, however, is common to this class of farming implements, as will be understood.

Extending forward of and made a part of the seed-tube E is an arm J, which pivotally carries at its extremity two arms K K, Fig. 4, which together forma lever. Between the forward short ends of said arms is pivotally carried a block L by means of pivot piris M M, there being apertures in the said extremities of the arms to receive such pins, as shown. An eyebolt N is loosely carried in the said block L, and a wing-nut 0 serves to draw up or let out said bolt for the purposes hereinafter described. Attached to the eye of such bolt is the end of a coil or closing spring P, whose lower end is loosely connected to the runner beneath by means of a clip Q, which straddles the latter and is secured thereto in suitable manner. The rear ends of the arms K K are pivotally attached to depending arms R, loosely secured to the arm H, before described. Thus connected a movement of the hand-lever toward the rear, as viewed in the drawings, will raise the runner, while a movement in the opposite direction will depress such runner. In Fig. 1 the lever is so placed that the runner is held at the surface of the ground, while in Fig. 6 such runner is forced several inches below the surface by a depression of such hand-lever. In either of the positions, however, the runner is free to move vertically in either direction. In Fig. 6 the arms K are sufliciently depressed at their rear ends to permit the runners to descend still lower into the ground, so that should the said runners pass into depressions which are lower than the working depth thereof there will be no hindrance thereto on account of the lip a on the top of the seed-tube. It will be seen that in Fig. 1 downward movement of the runner is prevented by such lip meeting the tops of the arms K; but in Fig. 6 this cannot happen, since I provide that the arms are carried low enough so as not to interfere. INhen shifting the hand-lever to the extreme left, the runners or furrow-openers are all raised from the ground when the machine is not in use. Normally the runner is held in the ground by the spring, which forces it, down through the medium of the arms K and the seed-tube, using the point of connection of the said arms with the arms R as the fulcrum.

In Fig. 3 the runner is illustrated in the raised position due to passing over an obstacle.

A peculiarity of my construction, and to which I wish to direct especial attention at this time, is the relation which the springP bears to the arms K. It will be observed that in the working position shown in Fig. 6 the said arms and the spring are at right angles to each other. This results in giving the spring its greatest leverage on the arms, since the line of pull is directly at right angles to a line drawn through the pivotal point of support of the arms and the point of connection of the spring with the latter. When at work in the ground, the spring is at its least tension and is given its greatest leverage at the time,while in said Fig. 3 the runner is raised and the spring lengthened, and thus put under tension. An'acute angle is formed between such spring and the arms as the latter move on their pivots, and as this angle obtains the upper end of the spring approaches nearer and nearer to the point of support, thereby shortening the leverage as the spring is lengthened and its pull increased. The effect is still more increased in Fig. 6, since in this figure the. arms R are in a lower position than in Fig. 3 and the runner is sunk into the ground, so that when such runner is raised, as shown in broken lines,

- the arms K move to an almost upright position, thus placing the spring under great tension, but carrying its upper end quite close to the pivots before described. Now in this position the spring has very little pull, and it is evident that the leverage is thus proportioned to the stress put upon the spring, so that the pulling strain is about even through the entire range of movement. As far as I am aware all devices of this nature have been constructed in such a way. that the higher the runner is raised in passing over an obstruct1on the more tension is put upon the spring,

and this results in putting the parts under unnecessary strain besides increasing the draft on the horses. in passing over such obstructions. I g

It has been demonstrated that for best work the pressure on the runner should be applied directly at the heel, as is done in my device. I am aware that this has been accomplished heretofore by a compression-spring; but the disadvantage with such springs is that they do not allow a sufficiently-wide range of vertical movement. This range of movement islimited by the convolutions of the spring meeting and thus forming a stop. To construct the spring with the convolutions farther apart would result in allowing more movement, but providing a spring too weak to be of use in providing the proper pressure.

I am aware of certain kinds of machines that do not use a coil-spring, but instead use straight spring-pressure rods; but as much disadvantage is attached to this form as to the others, for the reason that in order to impart sufiicient pressure to the runner-at the lowest position too much will result when the said runner passes over obstructions. My construction combines all the desired advantages, and none of the disadvantages of the older construction are present therein.

An advantage also is that the operator by means of the hand-lever may put any pressure upon the runners with very little effort, and they may be forced into the ground with ease, while in other machines the power is applied in such a way that a mans strength is hardly sufficient to depress the said runners.

Greater range of movement may be had in the runners by changing the relative lengths of the arms K and R and forming the arm J of the seed-tube so that it can rise higher. Various other changes may be made in my improved grain-drill without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention. For instance, the forward or short end of the arms K may be turned up beyond the point of support therefor, so that the spring will be carried sooner toward the said point of support, where it will have still less pull, as in Fig. 7 Besides the advantages given above the matter-of cheapness in the production of my ma chine is of no small moment, there being but few parts used therein. v

In Fig. 2 is illustrated my method of attaching the seed-tube E to the furrow-opener I). On the bottom or foot of the said tube is a lug T, adapted to enter a corresponding socket T in a casting S, secured between the plates of the said furrow-opener by means of a pin or rivet d. Said foot also has two depending lngs V W, the latter adapted to seat in adepression U in the rear side of the casting S. The lug V is just inside the rear ends of the runner-plates and flush with them, as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 1. The casting S is held by the rivet described and is prevented moving about the same by having its lower end rest upon a fillet D in the bottom of the runner. A stud-bolt X passes through the foot of the tube E and screws into the casting, as shown in Fig. 1. 'INhen the machine is in operation, the casting naturally has a tendency to swing on the rivet (Z in a direction to carry the lower rear extremity thereof down upon the fillet D. The reason for this is that the tube E tends to shift rearwardly on the runner, and the stud-bolt X, passing through both, will naturally seek to move to the rear and would thereby keep said casting against the fillet by constantly trying to turn it on said rivet. Since the fillet acts as a stop, said casting is therefore always held in its proper position. Evidently a second rivet would make the casting immovable, but the extra cost of construction would result. Therefore the method described is preferable.

In Fig. 8 the spring is indicated in broken i lines in a different position at its lower end than in the other figures of the drawings. It is found that there are some advantages in thus placing the spring, and I may use it in this position as well as the others, as I see best suited to the needs of the machine in operation.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a graindrill of the character described, the combination of a seed-tube, a furrowopener pivoted at its forward end to the machine. and carrying the said seed-tube, arms pivoted between their ends to the seed-tube, a spring attached at one end to the furrowopener and at the other to the pivoted arms, the rear ends of the arms being pivotally connected with the machine substantially as described.

2. In a grain-drill, the furrow-opener pivoted at its forward end to swing vertically, a seedtube carried thereby, a spring connected thereto for holding it in the ground, such spring being at its least tension at that time and means pivoted to the seed-tube to which said spring is also attached, the said spring imparting a uniform pressure to the furrow opener through said means substantially as set forth.

3. In a grain-drill of the character described, the combination of a furrow-opener pivoted to the machine, a seed-tube carried thereby, a spring attached at one end to the furrowopener between the seed-tube and the pivot of the furrow-opener, means pivoted to the seed-tube above the furrow-opener to which the opposite end of the spring is attached forward of said pivot, said means pivotally held at the rear of the pivot for the purposes set fort 4;. In agrain-drill, the furrow-opener pivoted on the machine-frame for vertical movement,aseed-tube carried thereon, arms pivoted to the seed-tube and extending both backward and forward from such pivot, a spring attached at one end to the furrow-opener and at the other to the arms at one end and pivotal connection to which the opposite ends of the arms are attached consisting of pivotally-hung adjustable arms on the machine all arranged substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.

5. A graindrill comprising the furrowopener vertically movable, aseed-tube carried thereby, arms pivoted to the seed-tube and extending both backward and forward from the pivot, a spring connected at one end to the furrow-opener and at the other to the arms at their forward ends, and means to which the rear ends of the said arms are pivoted substantially as and for the purposes described.

6. In a grain-drill, the furrow-opener pivoted to swing vertically, arms pivoted above the same and adapted to move therewith at their forward ends, means to which the rear ends are connected substantially as set forth, said forward ends projecting beyond the point of pivotal connection and a spring between and connected to the forward ends of the arms and to the furrow-opener for imparting downward movement to the furrow-opener for the purposes set forth.

7 In a grain-drill, a furrow-opener, aseedtube carried thereon both adapted to move vertically, arms pivoted on the seed-tube between their ends, means by which the arms are pivotally held at their rear ends, and a spring connecting the free ends of the arms and the furrow-opener for imparting downward pressure to the latter for the purposes set forth.

8. In a grain-drill, a furrow-opener, a seedtube thereon,arms pivoted to the seed-tube at a point located between their extremities, means to which the rear ends of the arms are pivoted and a spring connecting the furrow-opener with the ends of the arms forward of their pivot-points for the purposes indicated.

9. The combination with a furrow-opener pivoted to swing vertically, of arms pivotally hung at their rear ends from the machine, depending arms on said machine from which the first-described arms are suspended, the forward ends of said first arms pivoted to the fur.- row-opener to rise and fall therewith and move on their pivots in so doing and aspring connected at one end to the furrow-opener and at the other to the said arms forward of their pivots for the purposes set forth and described.

10. In a grain-drill, a furrow-opener pivoted to swing vertically on the machine-frame, a seed-tube carried thereby, arms pivoted to said seed-tube, means to which the rear ends of the arms are pivoted, the forward ends having movement with the said furrow-opener and a spring connected at one end to such furrow opener and at the other to the ends of the arms forward of the pivots thereof for the purposes set forth.

11. In a grain-drill, a furrow-opener pivoted to swing vertically, a seed-tube carried thereby, arms pivoted on the latter substantially parallel with the furrow-opener when at work in the ground, means to which the rear ends of such arms are pivoted, and a spring connected at one end to the furrow-opener and at the other to the forward ends of the arms, such spring being arranged substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.

12. In agrain-drjll, afurrow-opener adapted to swing Vertically, a seed-tube carried by said furrow-opener, arms pivoted to the seedtube, means to which the arms are pivoted at their rear ends, such means consisting of adjustable arms on said machine, a spring connected at one end to the opposite ends of the first-described arms beyond their points of support on the seed-tube, said spring also connected to the furrow-opener, as set forth.

13. In a grain-drill, a furrow-opener pivoted to have vertical movement, a seed-tube mounted thereon, arms pivoted to such seedtube and extending beyond the pivot both forward and backward, means to which the rear ends thereof are pivoted and a spring attached to the forward ends of such arms, said spring also connected to the furrow opener substantially as set forth.

14.. In a grain-drill, a furrow-opener pivoted to swing vertically, a seed-tube mounted thereon, the same having an extension projecting forward, arms pivoted on such extension and extending both forward and backward from such pivot, a lever on the drillframe, an arm connected between such lever and the rear ends of the arms, and a spring capable of adjustment connected at one end to the forward end of the arms and at the other to the furrow-opener all arranged substantially as set forth and described.

15. A furrow-opener comprising the converging sides thereof, a casting S located between said sides and having the recess T there in at the top, there being a recess U in the rear side of such casting, the pin (Zfor securing the casting in place between the converging sides in'combination with the seed-tube having the lugs V W to enter between the sides of the furrow-opener at the rear of the casting S, the said lug W adapted to enter the said recess 'U, and the bolt X for securing the seed-tube and casting together as set forth.

16. In a grain-drill, the ground-wheels, the frame A carried thereby, the furrow-opener D pivoted to the frame for vertical movement, the seed-tube E on the furrow-opener, the arms K pivoted thereto at a point between their forward and rear ends, a hand-:leverG for raising and lowering the furrow-opener, connections R R between the hand-lever and the arms K at one end, a tension coil-spring P connected at one end to the furrow-opener and at the other to the arms K at their free ends and arranged substantially as shown. V

17. In a grain-drill the ground-wheels, the frame A carried thereby, the furrow-opener D pivoted to the frame to swing vertically, the seed-tube E on the said furrow-opener, arms K pivoted to the seed-tube and extending backward of and forward from the pivot, an adjustable hand-lever G on the machineframe, arms R for connecting the said lever and the arms K at their rear ends, a spring P attached to the furrow-opener and to the forward ends of the said arms and means for adjusting the spring for the purposes set forth and described.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination with a drag-bar, ashoe connected therewith and a chute carried thereby, of a lever connected with said chute, a spring connecting the lever with said drag-bar, means for adjusting the tension of said spring, and means for tilting said lever and increasing the tension of the spring, substantially as described. a

19. In a device of the class described, the combination with a shoe and chute carried thereby, of a pivotally-mounted lever supported by said chute, a spring fixed at one end and at the other connected with said lever, and tilting means connected with said lever and moving the same against the tension of said spring substantially as described.

20. In a device of the character described, the combination with a shoe, drag-bar and grain-chute of a spring having a fixed end, a lever pivoted to said chute and connected with said spring, a yoke carried by said lever and extending past the chute and means connected with the yoke in rear of the chute for moving the lever to increase the tension'of said spring, substantially as described.

21. In a device of the character described, the combination with a drag-bar, shoe and chute of a spring connected with said dragbar, a lever pivoted to said chute and connected with said spring, a yoke surrounding the chute and connected with said lever, and means connected in rear of said chute with said yoke for moving the lever for increasing the tension of said spring substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LUTHER E. ROBY.

Witnesses:

E. J. ABERSOL, L. M. THURLOW. 

